Dundee Tavern Owner Seeking to Expand Parking

DUNDEE | Willie E. Smedley, who said he's been trying for 32 years to make improvements to his business, could get the go-ahead he wants Tuesday.

By PHIL ATTINGERNews Chief

DUNDEE | Willie E. Smedley, who said he's been trying for 32 years to make improvements to his business, could get the go-ahead he wants Tuesday.He has a public hearing during the 6:30 p.m. Dundee Town Commission meeting on a rezoning application.Smedley wants to change a 0.6-acre tract from commercial and residential zoning to service commercial so he can expand his parking at Willie's Inn, a tavern at 221 Florida Ave., and still meet setback requirements.Smedley also said he already leases an adjacent field for parking.He got a first-reading approval Aug. 13; Tuesday's will be the second and final reading. This move has not been without controversy.His bar was allowed as spot zoning in a residential zone 20 years ago, said Jill Kitto, who owns a house across the street from his business and manages two other homes on the same street. Tenants have complained to her about his customers' behavior, she said, including beer bottles on lawns and drug sales on the street. Putting up "no trespassing" signs has helped, but the potential is there, she said."I don't want him to necessarily draw back and not do business, but I want him to do it correctly," Kitto said.She suggested the town look at extending Bay Street so that it connects to Florida Avenue on the west side of Smedley's business, giving patrons another way in and out.Cathy Volosin, vice mayor at the time, was concerned because the property is wetland, but Smedley said he only wants to use it for the town setback and state environmental requirements.Then-Town Manager Andy Stewart said Smedley would need to rezone the land, consolidate it with his property through the Polk County Property Appraiser, and meet all local and state development regulations. Smedley bought part of the land — one-third of an acre — from the town in March for $1,000.He had originally planned to buy the property in December, but when attorney's fees and document stamps pushed the final price tag to $1,435, he balked, especially since the town parcel was valued at $180 by the Polk County Property Appraiser."How in the world (do you) go from $180 to $1,400?" Smedley asked Feb. 26.Attorney Seth Claytor, filling in at the time for Town Attorney John Murphy, said he could waive $275 in fees and amend the town's resolution to reflect a final cost of $1,000. Smedley also said in February he already paid $662 for permits to expand — the same cost as a rezoning application.Commissioners agreed at that time to let him apply that payment to rezoning.

Phil Attinger may be reached at phil.attinger@newschief.com or 863-401-6981 and followed on Twitter at @PhilAttinger.

Never miss a story

Choose the plan that's right for you.
Digital access or digital and print delivery.